Pull shovel



Nov. 26, 1946.

R. o BILLINGs PULL SHOVEL Filed Ilarch 14, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

` ,grime/vaag.

y MM

Nov. 26, 1,946. R. o. BILLLNGS 2,411,498

PULL SHOVEL Filed uarcn 14; 1945 2 sheets-sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

`Patented Nov. 26, 1946 .UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE `PULL SHOVEL y Roy 0. Billings, Milwaukee, Wis. Application March 14, 1945, Serial No. 582,653

12 Claims. (Cl. 214-138) This invention relates to improvements in pull shovels.

Pull` shovels, as heretofore constructed, have consisted of a boom having an arm or bucket stick pivoted to the end of the boom at an intermediate point in the length of the bucket stick so that a portion of the latter projects upwardly beyond the pivot point. The bucket has been rigidly connected to the lower end of the bucket stick and anchored inthis position by rigid braces.

This type ofbucket is manipulated entirely by movement of the bucket stick and boom and it has not been possible to change the angleof the bucket with respect to the bucket stick. Consequently, the conventional pull shovel is only adapted for the scraping of dirt and for the throwing ofthe dirt to one side of the trench. It has not been possible to retain dirt in the bucket for a suilicient length of time to permit the loading of trucks directly from the bucket.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved pull shovel wherein the usefulness is greatly increased by means which prorespect to the bucket stick. This permits the bucket to dig immediately upon contacting the ground, because the bucket angle can be so controlled as to position the teeth for immediate digging. The construction also provides for changing the angle of the bucket so that dirt can be retained therein while the bucket is being swung tof a position over a truck. Dumping into the truck can then be accomplished by again changing the angle of the bucket with respect to the bucket stick.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved pull shovel of the class described wherein the eifective length of the bucket stick may be varied as desired. 'I'his makes it possible to increase the reach of the bucket when required, and 4also makes it possible for a deeper trench to be dus.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction as above described wherein the changes in the bucket angle as well as the changes in ,the eective length of the bucket stick are accomplished by hydraulic rams. A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved pull shovel wherein the swinging movement of the bucket stick with respect to the boom is controlled by means which includes an hydraulic ram mounted on and extending longitudinally of the boom.

A more specic object of the invention is to provide a construction as above described wherevides for changes in the angle of the bucket with in the bucket stick is formed by telescopic cylinders with an hydraulic ram extending longitudinally therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pull shovel wherein the usual rigid back braces for the bucket are eliminated and wherein hydraulically actuated telescopic cylinders are substituted-therefore, the arrangement being such that the back brace may be extended independently of the bucket stick proper, or moved with the bucket stick when the latter is being extended.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improved pull shovel, and all its parts and combinations, as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating one complete embodiment of the preferred form of the invention, in which the same reference numerals designate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. 1 'is a perspective view of the improved pull shovel as used in conjunction with a motor truck, parts of one side of the boom being broken away and the dot-and-dash lines indicating several different positions of adjustment of the bucket;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating the bucket stick and bucket, parts being shown in longitudinal section; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating the outer side of the bucket stick proper.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a motor truck which is equipped substantially in the manner shown in my issued patent for Truck cranes, No. 2,365,167, dated December 19, 1944. The construction includes a turn-table 6 mounted on the truck frame and supporting the operating mechanism. There is also included extendible out-rigger mechanism 1, constructed in accordance with my Patent No. 2,365,169, dated December 19, 1944. The boom 8 is pivoted as at 9 to the ends of brackets I0 projecting from an edge portion of the turn-table 6.

In my truck' crane patent the boom is mounted in a different manner as illustrated in said patent. When the truck crane, however,` isto be used for pull shovel purposes, the usual truck crane boom is-removed, and the boom -8 of the present invention is connected to the turn-table as illustrated herein.

connected .to the inner-end of .the boom as at II is the inner-end of an hydraulic cylinder I2. Movable in the outer endfof the cylinder I2 is an extendible ram I3 which carries a. sheave I4 at its outer end. In Fis. 1, the ram I3 is shown in a nearly fully extended position.

Pivoted on a transverse pin I at the outer end of the boom and embraced by the forked boom portion I8, is a bracket I1 rigidly connected to a side o1 a cylinder I8. The latter and associated Amechanism form .the bucket stick, The pivot I5 is located intermediate .the length of the cylinder I8 so that a portion of the cylinder projects upwardly beyond the -pivot point I5. Rlgidly connected to the upwardly extended portion gof the cylinder I8 is an angularly bent head piece I9 having spaced outer end portions between which a pulley is rotatably mounted.

Telescopically positioned within It'he bucket stick cylinder I8 is an inner cylinder 2 l (see Fig. 2). 'I'he inner cylinder has an ear 22 projecting therefrom which is movable in an elongated slot 23 formed in the'outer cylinder I8 (see Fig. 3). An hydraulic cylinder 24 has its upper end con-l nected to the head piece I3 as at 25. A ram 26 which is extendible from the lower end of the cyl- Ander 24 is actuated in an extending direction by fluid such as oil admitted to .the cylinder 24 under pressure through the fluid line 21.

Pivotally connected to the telescoping cylinder 2I is a, bucket bracing cylinder 28. The cylinder 28 has an ear 29 projecting therefrom and the pivot pin 30 extends through said ear and through` the cooperating ear 22. Telescopically mounted within the cylinder 28 is an inner cylinder 3 I. Extending longitudinally within the cylinders 28 and 3I is an hydraulic cylinder 32 which has its upper end connected to the outer cylinder 28 as at 33. A ram 34 is extendible from the lower end of the hydraulic cylinder 32 in response to .the pressure of an hydraulic fluid admitted under pressure to :the cylinder 32 through a fluid line 35.

A bucket or shovel 36 which is of conventional shape for pull shovels has upwardly projecting ears 31 at the front thereof between which an operates the cable 41 in the same manner as the A load-line was operated.

The open front of the bucket is connected to one end of a cable 5I as at 52. The cable 5I extends from the bucket around the lower side of a pulley 53 mounted on the boom 8 intermediate the length of the latter. From the pulley 53 the cable 5I extends upwardly to the far side of the ram pulley` I4 (referring to Fig. l), a-nd the cable 5I extends over the top of the pulley I4 and then downwardly where it is dead-ended to the boom as'at 54.

The 'hydraulic lines 21 and 35 extend down the boomy and connect with control valves contained in a control box 55 on the turn-table. An hydraulic conduit leading from the lower end of the hydraulic cylinder I2 on the boom also leads to one of the valves in .the control box 55. There is :also a suitable oil pump .and reservoir, the pump being driven in any suitable and conventional -manner to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure Ito the various hydraulic lines leading to the hydraulic cylinders,

In use of the pull shovel, assuming that the truck 5 has been driven to a proper location, that the outriggers 1 of the truck are extended, and that the turn-table 6 has been swung as required, and assuming that the parts are in the full line positions of Fig. l, the operator seated on the turn-table at the control panel 55 flrst manipulates a valve lever to release the oil pressure in the cylinder I2. This allows the cylinder I8 forming the bucket stick to swing to a substantially vertical position. The Weight of the boom 8, however, will act downwardly on the pivot point I5 to cause the boom stick and bucket to swing outwardly and upwardly in an arc. The result of this action will be that the -boom will drop somewhat and the boom stick I8 will be extended beextension 38 of the telescopic cylinder 2l as well as the lower end of the hydraulic ram 26 are positioned. A pivot pin 39 pivotally connects these parts to the bucket.

A pin 40 which extends .transversely and pivotally between ears 4I at the rear of the bucket is rigidly secured to the lower side of an eye 42 at the lower end ofthe ram 34. A pivot pin 43 which extends at right angles to the pivot 40 exten-ds through depending plates 44 at the lower end of the telescopic cylinder 3l and through the eye 42 at the lower end of the ram 34 yas is illustrated in Fig. 2. Thus, the lower end of the ram 34 and cylinder 3I are pivotally `connected to the bucket in such a man-ner as to permit pivotable movement in two directions at right angles to each other.

The bottom of the bucket is provided with the usual forwardly projecting .digging teeth 45 over which dirt is guided into the open front of the bucket to be supported on the bucket bottom 46.

A cable 41 has one end connected to the bucket as at 48 and said cable extends over the pulley 20, over a guiding pulley 49 on the turn-table (see Fig. 1), and over another guiding pulley 48 on the turn-table to hydraulic actuating mechanism 50. The mechanism 5I) operates -in the same manner as illustrated and described in my patent for Truck cranes, No. 2,365,167, 'issued -December 19, 1944, .to exert a take-up pull on the cable 41 when this is required. In my truck crane patent above referred to, the operating mechanism 50 is employed for operating the truck crane load-line but in the present invention it be increased by admitting hydraulic fluid under yond the boom and be nearly parallel therewith, with the teeth 45 of the bucket facing downwardly. Excessive pivotable movement of the boom stick is prevented by the engagement of the angled side 56 of the bracket Il with the stopmembers 51 (see Figs. l and 2). The boom is then lowered by letting out some of the cable 41 until the teeth of the bucket contact the ground.

To start digging, the ram I3l is extended so as to exert a pull on the cable 5I and a digging pull on the bucket. As the cable 5I is pulled in during digging, the cable 41 must be also operated in a compensating manner. After the bucket has been filled with dirt the parts are raised to substantially the full line position of Fig. l, but the ram I3 is additionally operated to tilt the bucket to the dirt retaining dot-and-dash line position A of Fig. 1. This latter action cannot be accomplished on a conventional pull shovel. The turntable 6 on the truck ls then partially rotated to swing the bucket over a truck or dirt hauling wagon. Next, oil pressure in the ram cylinder 32 is relieved and a pull is exerted on the cable 41 to swing the parts to the dot-and-dash line dumping position B of Fig. l. In reaching this position, the telescoping cylinder 3| has been pushed upwardly into the outer cylinder 28.

After dumping of the load has been accomplished, the parts may -be returned to a position to make another digging stroke. As digging progresses, the effective reach of the bucket may pressure through the hydraulic line 21 into the cylinder 24. This `causes extension of the ram 26 and movement of the inner-telescoping cylinder 2| in a downward direction. the cylinder 28 is connected through the ears 29 and 22 with the cylinder 2|, the said cylinder 28 will move downwardly with the cylinder 2|, the ear 22 travelling in the slot 23. Thus, the parts may be extended to the dot-and-dash line position C of Fig. 1 in order to accomplish deeper digging or to increase the reach of the bucket.

At the start of a digging operation the backbrace of the bucket may be adjusted by causing movement of the inner-cylinder 3| within the outer cylinder 28. This permits changing of the angle of the bucket with respect to the boom stick I8Vso that the teeth of the bucket can be positioned for immediate digging as soon as the bucket hits the ground. This cannot be accomplished with a conventional pull shovel.

In order to retract the ram 26 and ram 34 from the extended position shown by the dotand-dash line position C of Fig. 1,it is merely necessary to relieve the oil pressure in the cylinders 24 and 32 and then pull inwardly lon the cable 41. After the ram 26 is fully retracted further retraction ofthe ram 34 may be accomlplished by a continued pull on the cable 41 to change the angle of the bucket to the dumping position B. The ram I3 on the boom is retracted automatically during operation, providing the oil pressure in the cylinder I2 is relieved. This retraction is caused by the weight of the boom act-v ing downwardly on the pivot I5 to cause an outward and upward swinging movement ofthe boom stick I8 and a consequent pull on the cable 5I in a direction to cause retraction of the ram I3.

From the above it is apparent that the backbrace of the boom may be extended or retracted to cause. the bucket to assume different angular positions with respect to the boom stick such as the positions A and B of Fig. 1. This structure has utility whether or not the boom stick proper is also extendible. It is also apparent that both the boom stick and back-brace may be moved simultaneously to increase the effective llength of the boom stick in the manner indicated by the position C in Fig. 1. The idea of having the bucket cable 5I operated by an hydraulic ram on the boom is also a new concept and increases the effectiveness of the device. This structure is adapted for use in combinations other than that shown in Fig. 1, and can be used on structures either where the cable 4l is controlled hydraulically as illustrated, or where this cable is Wound on a drum in the conventional manner.

Various other changes and modications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and all of such changes are contemplated as may come within the scope of the claims.

Whatl I claim is:

1. In a pull shovel having a boom, a bucket stick pivotally connected to an outer end portion of said boom for jack-knife swinging movement with respectl thereto, a bucket pivotally connected to a lower portion of said bucket stick, means including an hydraulic ram forming a longitudinally extendible back brace for the bucket, the lower end of said back brace being pivotally connected to the bucket at a point spaced rearwardly of the bucket from the pivotal connection for the bucket stick and an upper portion of said back brace being pivotally connected to the bucket stick, means controlled from a remote point for causing hydraulically actuated extension of said ram, and means including cable and Inasmuch asY sheave mechanism controlled from a remote point for causing retraction of said ram.

2. In a pull shovel having a boom,- a bucket stick pivotally connected to an outer end portion 'of said boom for jack-knife swinging movement with respect thereto, a bucket pivotally connected to a lower portion of said bucket stick, means including an hydraulic ram forming a longitudinally extendible back brace for the bucket, the

lower end of said back brace being pivotally connected to the bucket at a point spaced rearwardly of the bucket from the pivotal connection for the bucket stick and an upper portion of saidback brace being pivotally connected to the bucket stick, a cable having one end connected to the rear of the bucket, and means on the upper end of the bucket stick over which said cable is guided, said cable being operable to cause retraction of `the back brace ram and pivotal movement oi the bucket relative to the bucket stick.

3. In a lpull shovel having a boom, a bucket stick pivotally connected to an outerr end portion of said boom for jack-knife swinging movement with respect thereto, said bucket stick havingk a longitudinally extendible section, a bucket connected to a lowerportion of the extendible section of the bucket stick, an hydraulic ram for causing extension movement of the extendible section of the bucket stick, a4 cable having one end connected to the bucket, and guiding means for the cable on the upper end of the bucket stick,

said cable being operable to cause retraction of the ram and extendible section.

4. In a pull shovel having a boom, a bucket stick pivotally connected 'to an outer end portion of said boom for jack-knife swinging movement with respect thereto, said bucket stick having a longitudinally extendible section, an hydraulic ram for causing extendible movement of said section of the bucket stick, a bucket pivotally connected to the lower portion of said longitudinally extendible section, a back brace pivotally connected to the longitudinally extendible section of the bucket stick, said back brace having a longitudinally extendible section which is pivotally connected to the bucket, and an hydraulic ram for causing extension movement of the extendible section of the back brace.

5. In a pull shovel having a boom, a bucket stick pivotally connected to an outer end portion of said boom for-jack-knife swinging movement with respect thereto, a bucket connected to a lower portion of said bucket stick, an hydraulic ram mounted on the boom for movement longitudinally thereof, a pulley carried by the outer end of said ram, a pulley mounted on the boom intermediate .the length thereof and at a point spaced from the ram pulley, and a cable having one end connected to the bucket and extending around said boom pulley and said ram pulley, the inner end of said cable being secured to the boom whereby operation of the ram will cause a pull on the cable and inward swinging movement of the bucket stick.

6. In a pull shovel, a supporting frame, a boom pivotally connected to said frame and projecting therefrom, a bucket stick pivotally connected to an Vouter end portion of said boom, said bucket stick having a longitudinally extendible section, hydraulically actuated means for moving said extendible section in an extending direction, a bucket connected to said longitudinally extendible section, and means including a single cable for controlling the angular position of the boom on the supporting frame and for causing retraction movement of said longitudinally extendible section of the bucket stick.

"l. In a pull shovel a supporting frame, a boom pivotally connected to said frame and projecting therefrom, a. bucket stick pivotally connected to an outer end portion oi said boom, a bucket pivotally connected to the lower end of said bucket stick, a back brace pivotally connected to the bucket stick, said back brace having a longitudinally extendible section pivotally connected tothe bucket, hydraulically actuated means for moving said extendible section of the back brace in an extending direction, and means including a single cable for controlling the angular position of the boom on the supporting frame and for causing retraction movement of the longitudinally extendible section of the back brace.

8. In a pull shovel, a supporting frame, a boom pivotally connected to said frame and projecting therefrom, a bucket stick pivotally connected to an outer end portion of said boom, said bucket stick having a longitudinally extendible section, hydraulically actuated means for moving said extendible section in an extending direction, a bucket pivotally connectedl to said longitudinally extendible section of the bucket stick, a back brace pivotally connected to the longitudinally extendible section of the bucket stick, said back brace having a longitudinally extendible section pivotally connected to the bucket, hydraulically actuated means for moving said extendible section of the back brace in extending direction, and

means including -a single cable for controlling the angular position of the boom on the supporting frame and for causing retraction movement of said longitudinally extendible sections of the bucket stick and back brace.

9. In a pull shovel having a boom, a bucket stick pivotally connected to an outer end portion of said boom for jackknife swinging movement with respect thereto, said bucket stick having a longitudinally extendible section, a longitudinally extendible back brace pivotally connected at one end to the longitudinally extendible section of the bucket stick and pivotally connected at its other end tothe bucket, power means for causing extension movement of the extendible section of the bucket stick, power means for causing extension movement of the back brace, and a remote control for said power means. f

10. In a pull shovel having a boom, a bucket stick pivotally connected to an outer eni porextendible sleeve, and a bucket connected to the lower portionof said extendible sleeve.,

11. In a pull shovel having a boom, aibucket stick pivotally connected to an outer end portion ol said boom for jackknife swinging movement with respect thereto, said bucket stick consisting of two sleeves in telescopic relation, one of which is longitudinallyy extendible, means including an hydraulic ram housed within said sleeves for causing extension movement of said extendible sleeve, a bucket connected to the lower portion oi said extendible sleeve, a back brace pivotally connected to sai-d extendible sleeve, said back brace consisting of two sleeves in telescopic relation, one of which is longitudinally extendible, and means including an hydraulic ram housed within said back brace sleeves for causing extension movement of the extendible sleeve of said back brace. the lower portion of the extendible sleeve of` said back brace being pivotally connected to the bucket.

12. In a pull shovel having a boom, a bucket stick pivotally connected to .an outer end portion of said boom for jackknife swinging movement with respect thereto, said bucket stick consisting of an inner and an outer sleeve in telescopic relation, the inner sleeve being longitudinally extendible and formed with a projecting lug, means including an hydraulic ram housed within said sleeves for causing extension movement of said inner sleeve, a bucket connected to the lower portion of said inner sleeve, a back brace pivotally connected to the projecting lug of said inner sleeve, said back brace consisting of an inner and an outer sleeve in telescopic relation, the inner back brace sleeve being longitudinally extendible, and means including an hydraulic ram housed within said back brace sleeves for causing extension of movement of the inner sleeve of said back brace, the lower portion of the inner sleeve -of said back brace being pivotally connected to the bucket andthe outer sleeve of the bucket stick having a longitudinal slot through which said projecting lug of the inner sleeve projects.

ROY O. BILLINGS. 

